Stuart Freeborn Dead: 'Star Wars' Make-Up Artist, Who Crafted Yoda And Chewbacca, Dies Aged 98
Yoda's Creator Dies
The Huffington Post UK
'Star Wars' make-up artist Stuart Freeborn has died at the age of 98.
During his six-decade career, he was celebrated for creating characters such as Yoda, the 7ft tall wookie Chewbacca and the slug-like Jabba the Hutt.
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He also worked on classic films such as Stanley Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey', where he created the apelike human ancestors in the 'Dawn of Man' sequence.
'Star Wars' director George Lucas released a statement on Wednesday:
"He brought with him not only decades of experience, but boundless creative energy. His artistry and craftsmanship will live on forever in the characters he created. His 'Star Wars' creatures may be reinterpreted in new forms by new generations, but at their heart, they continue to be what Stuart created for the original films."
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Freeborn also worked on 'Oliver Twist,' 'The Bridge on the River Kwai,' 'The Omen,' four 'Superman' films, 'Top Secret!' and 'The Great Muppet Caper.'
Makeup artist Stuart Freeborn equips Terry-Thomas with a mustache for Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines
Film director David Lean (1908-1991) watches as make-up artist Paul Rabiger works on Alec Guinness (1914 - 2000), transforming him into the role of Fagin in Lean's film adaptation of 'Oliver Twist'. Rabiger was the assistant to make-up artist Stuart Freeb(07 of12)
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Film director David Lean (1908-1991) watches as make-up artist Paul Rabiger works on Alec Guinness (1914 - 2000), transforming him into the role of Fagin in Lean's film adaptation of 'Oliver Twist'. Rabiger was the assistant to make-up artist Stuart Freeborn. Original Publication: Picture Post - 4464 - Has Lean Done It Again? - pub. 1948 (Photo by Bert Hardy/Getty Images)
Makeup artist Stuart Freeborn Dies(08 of12)
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Makeup artist Stuart Freeborn Dies(09 of12)
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Makeup artist Stuart Freeborn Dies(10 of12)
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Makeup artist Stuart Freeborn Dies(11 of12)
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Makeup artist Stuart Freeborn Dies(12 of12)
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Peter Mayhew's original 'Chewbacca' head from the film 'Star Wars' on display at Profiles In History in Calabasas, northwest of downtown Los Angeles, on July 19, 2012 in California, ahead of a public auction which begins on July 28. Auction house Profiles in History, the world's largest auctioneer and dealer of original Hollywood memorabila, will handle the sale of the celebrated Drier Collection, which due to its size, scope and significance, will take nearly two years and several auctions for all of the material to be offered. The head of one of the most loveable and loyal characters from the 1977 film is estimated between USD $60,000 - $80,000. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)